Kolkata Volumes Rocket

Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) in India has reported record cargo volumes after its Kolkata Dock System (KDS) posted annual TEU figures of around 500,000 between April 2014 and March 2015, of which around 256,000 were imports and around 243,000 were exported goods.

PTI previously reported that the Indian government is planning to turn each of India’s 12 major ports into ‘smart city’ initiatives at a total cost of US$8bn.

As reported in the Times of India, RPS Kahlon, Chairman of KoPT, said: “On March 10, KDS crossed the 500,000 TEU mark. Between April 1, 2014 and March 10, 2015, KDS had handled 500,447 TEU. Of this, 256,679 TEUs were import cargo and the remaining export.

“This record was achieved despite grave operational constraints of low navigational draft, unavoidable ship detention due to lock operations and tide dependence. This was possible through technological upgradation.”

Issues have been raised as to whether corporatisation is the right course of action for India’s ports, with Indian management welcoming the process and unions believing that this would lead to the loss of jobs for port workers.

(Source: NDTV)